The Boston Celtics foolishly traded Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic ahead of the deadline. Brad Stevens is a proven savant in roster building, but this deal was motivated by cost savings and filling a specific need. It took a few more moves, but Boston ducked the tax completely. That is not great business for a team that is third in the wide-open Eastern Conference and may get their superstar back before the playoffs.
Vucevic is not a championship-caliber center, and the warts are already starting to show. The 6’9 big man can space the floor, rebound, make plays, and get buckets, but his subpar rim protection is a problem in the postseason. Vooch has only played in the playoffs four times in 14 years and has never advanced past the first round. This is his best shot, but his defensive struggles get magnified in the playoffs in a way Boston won’t be able to overcome.
Fans were excited after his first game, and there was plenty of praise handed out, but the reality is different. Boston traded away a key shot creator and got back a player who doesn’t help his team win the biggest games. The Celtics won’t win the East with Vooch, and they ruined a golden opportunity nobody expected them to get.
Nikola Vucevic trade is unquestionably the Celtics' worst trade in years
Boston was dominated by the Knicks on Sunday, with Vucevic being a minus-24 in his 23 minutes of action. He dealt with early foul trouble and didn’t have his shot locked in. That will happen, but the defensive issues were more problematic. The Celtics can’t hide him, and teams will relentlessly attack Vooch in the playoffs. New York carved him up in what could be a postseason preview.
Jaylen Brown said the Celtics need more time to integrate the big man, but Vucevic is what he is. The 35-year-old is not suddenly transforming into a defensive anchor. His team always flames out early because postseason series are won on the margins. Vooch’s defense is so bad that it is nearly impossible to overcome.
The Celtics offense has dropped off since the trade, and Keith Smith was not afraid to share why.
It's way too early to judge anything, but the Celtics have missed Anfernee Simons today. Lack of an additional ballhandler, scorer and shooter has shown up this afternoon.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 8, 2026
Simons gave them a strong shot creator off the bench capable of getting 20 every night. They moved Payton Pritchard back to the second unit after the trade, but it hasn’t helped. Boston needs more offensive juice in the starting group, and Vucevic can’t create off the dribble like Simons. The Celtics need that change of pace and have nobody to offer it.
Stevens was masterful in trading for Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to make the Celtics champions again. He even did well deconstructing that roster and keeping Boston in contention. This was finally where he messed up. ESPN graded this trade a generous C. It deserved an F. The Celtics ruined their chances of winning the East and gave up a better second-round draft pick in the process.
The Boston Celtics don’t make many mistakes under Brad Stevens, but this was a bad one. They saved money and dodged the luxury tax. That is the only positive from this trade. Nikola Vucevic sadly won’t work, and the Cs will still be looking for a center in the offseason.
Stevens will accept the blame and is ready to build Boston back into a title contender for next season. Expect more moves and for the Celtics to create another juggernaut. That is what they do, so stay tuned.